SDS100

[Allears13]

I am looking to purchase a digital scanner. The SDS100 has been recommended to me. I have a Macintosh computer and was wondering if anyone has had any luck using the Sentinel software with it? I appreciate any info you can give me!

 

[fxdscon]

I am looking to purchase a digital scanner. The SDS100 has been recommended to me. I have a Macintosh computer and was wondering if anyone has had any luck using the Sentinel software with it? I appreciate any info you can give me!

Some recommendations at this link:

Mac Users of Police Scanner Radios | ScannerMaster.com

Mac Users of Police Scanner Radios.

www.scannermaster.com

 

[jtwalker]

Let me google that for you

 

[W5RGP]

works great on my macbook running Parallels

try this

Run Windows on Mac with a virtual machine | Parallels Desktop

Download Parallels Desktop virtual machine to run Windows on Mac without rebooting or slowing down your Mac, plus get over 200,000 Windows apps.

www.parallels.com

 

[W5RGP]

Let me google that for you

you must own Google Stock thats your answer anytime you open your mouth on a reply

 

[The_Nozzleman]

Question I currently live in Luzerne County Pa and they are going to the P25 system sometime this year. If I bought this scanner now will it work on the current system?

 

[Scannernitwit]

I am looking to purchase a digital scanner. The SDS100 has been recommended to me. I have a Macintosh computer and was wondering if anyone has had any luck using the Sentinel software with it? I appreciate any info you can give me!

Been using Mac's since mid-eighties and have little experience with the Windows world.
Recently considered purchasing the SDS100 but cost, complexity and questions of construction quality put me on hold for now.

As part of my research, I read as much as I could about using Sentinel and ProScan on the Mac' including the ScannerMaster Mac' info.
The cost of Parallels software, ( I do not want to use Bootcamp) Windows software, and the possibility of issues with drivers and cables and my lack of Windows knowledge I concluded that purchasing an inexpensive ASIS laptop or similar for $225.00 was more cost effective.
The computer would only have one function; program radio frequencies.

Presently I am unwilling to leap into the very steep learning curve of the SDS100 and also learn the Windows OS and its' common problems.
However, good luck to you... Happy New Year!
Kevin

 

[N4DJC]

I run a MBP using Parallels. I bought a full Windows 10 installation without the bloatware. It’s expensive but I have multiple radios (amateur transceivers and scanners) using programming software that runs under the Windows OS. The initial install was a little complex...getting the correct NET framework and the correct USB drivers, but once done it’s done.

 

[Scannernitwit]

I run a MBP using Parallels. I bought a full Windows 10 installation without the bloatware. It’s expensive but I have multiple radios (amateur transceivers and scanners) using programming software that runs under the Windows OS. The initial install was a little complex...getting the correct NET framework and the correct USB drivers, but once done it’s done.

Hello N4DJC:
Appreciate your comments; thank you.
Something that I am used to is the Mac' OS "plug and play"; I don't look forward to the complexity of Windows.
Fortunately for me I have a son that is a Windows guru!
Take care,
Kevin

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Question I currently live in Luzerne County Pa and they are going to the P25 system sometime this year. If I bought this scanner now will it work on the current system?

That would depend on whether the county decides to switch on the big "E" (encryption) on the new system. The trend these days tends to be to encrypt law enforcement but leave fire/EMS/PW in the clear. Or they could decide to go the Schuylkill County route and encrypt everything. Hopefully that won't be the case.

Also, there's discussion about the Luzerne system on the thread here

 

[N4DJC]

Hello N4DJC:
Appreciate your comments; thank you.
Something that I am used to is the Mac' OS "plug and play"; I don't look forward to the complexity of Windows.
Fortunately for me I have a son that is a Windows guru!
Take care,
Kevin

Yes, it spoils us. I haven’t run Windows since XP and that was only for my work notebook. So much radio software is Windows based, it’s almost a requisite to have that capability. I like being able to swap between OS, if you have a decent sized drive (512 G) and a fair amount of ram (16 G) it runs smoothly. Most of the programming software is not very system intensive.

 

[The_Nozzleman]

That would depend on whether the county decides to switch on the big "E" (encryption) on the new system. The trend these days tends to be to encrypt law enforcement but leave fire/EMS/PW in the clear. Or they could decide to go the Schuylkill County route and encrypt everything. Hopefully that won't be the case.

Also, there's discussion about the Luzerne system on the thread here

Thank you. I am looking at moving to Florida in March or April and will have the money before the move so I was going to get the scanneer and use it while I am still in pa and then use it in the Port St Luchie area.

 

[Scannernitwit]

Yes, it spoils us. I haven’t run Windows since XP and that was only for my work notebook. So much radio software is Windows based, it’s almost a requisite to have that capability. I like being able to swap between OS, if you have a decent sized drive (512 G) and a fair amount of ram (16 G) it runs smoothly. Most of the programming software is not very system intensive.

Hello N4DJC:

Not certain I am spoiled, but I do have clear expectations of a product I purchase.

I started with Macintosh because of the GUI it offered. I didn’t know DOS/line code etc.; to this day I never mess with Terminal. Despite the ups and downs of Apple and its’ well known arrogance; “we know what the customer wants” I accept being ***** slapped by cost because my IPhone, IPad and PowerBook are used in the field and beat very hard; they work, and customer service is unequaled.

Here and other posts I make mention of the SDS100’s high cost, complexity and reliability issues. Posts of SDS100 construction and quality control problems, poor soldering, bad cards, battery issues and the dreaded battery clip are all over the Radio Reference site and other.

I would gladly pay $700.00 for the SDS100, but not with the doubts I have about the product.
My lack of radio expertise doesn't help.

However, for simplicity sake… If I were to purchase the SDS100 I would purchase an inexpensive Windows laptop; the minimum necessary to get the job done.

Take care.
Kevin